Prime Minister Sushila Karki held a discussion with Election Commission office-bearers today regarding preparations for the upcoming elections to members of the House of Representatives.

Commission's Acting Chief Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, Commissioners Dr Janaki Kumari Tuladhar, Sagun Shumsher Rana and other officials took part in the discussion held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Singha Durbar.

On the occasion, EC office-bearers informed the Prime Minister that more than 60 percent of the work under the elections preparations has been completed and based on the assessment so far it is confident that the elections can be held on March 5.

Acting Chief Commissioner Bhandari said that the process of registering new parties as well as updating of the voter lists, including new voters is encouraging. It is possible to hold the elections on the scheduled date and that the commission is capable of this. 

The commission is working in two sessions from 7 am to 7 pm to manage the pressure of voter list registration in its online system with increased human resources and made arrangements for immediate resolution of technical problems.

Similarly, Director General of the National Civil Registration Department, Namraj Ghimire, said that he is ready to provide the biometric data collected for the distribution of national identity cards to the Election Commission.

The commission is also starting the process of including the voters in the voter list based on the details of the national identity card from Thursday. 

The commission has stated that all the technical preparations and testing work for this will be completed tonight.

So far, 22 national and two international observer organizations have applied for election observation for the elections. 

Similarly, the commission has stated that the draft of the election code of conduct has been sent to all parties for suggestions and is now publishing the election program.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Karki inquired about the possibility of reducing the limit on candidate spending in the election and arranging inter-district voting for the convenience of voters.